It is great to be here with you in Hillsboro on such a warm, sunny day to celebrate the progress we’ve made to make sure Oregonians are paying their fair share for the energy they use.
I’d like to take a moment to talk about our location today – which was intentionally set. Building more than just housing – Hacienda, Metro, the state of Oregon – so many partners are coming together to create a community.
Dolores is a vibrant, three-story community that celebrates Washington County’s rich Latino heritage while providing homes for 67 families who need them most. We are just steps from Magnolia Park, three grocery stores, McKinley Elementary School, and public transit – a neighborhood built where families can thrive.
Sustainability was a key consideration in the construction of Dolores, with solar panels on the roofs, native landscaping, and green spaces imagined to surround the central plaza we are standing in now. Every unit gets efficient, mini-split HVAC systems with air conditioning, plus residents will enjoy playgrounds, community rooms, bike storage, and convenient laundry on every floor.
Dolores was designed with energy efficient building systems, receiving funding from the Oregon Multifamily Energy Program, a state program that provides money and support to help make apartment buildings and other multifamily rental housing more energy efficient. Energy efficiency improvements, including solar panels and other energy saving measures will allow Hacienda to cover electricity bills for tenants – lowering utility bills for tenants, making buildings more comfortable to live in, and reducing environmental impact.
Hacienda CDC will provide bilingual on-site support, connecting residents to local resources and programs. For our permanent supportive housing residents, New Narrative delivers comprehensive wraparound services - from behavioral health counseling and skills training to employment assistance and medical coordination.
Dolores is a beautiful example of how strong partnerships can produce so much more than housing: they build hope, community and a brighter, cleaner future for Oregon. Thank you to Hacienda and Metro for graciously allowing us to host this event here.
Now, on to the legislation we are highlighting today:
Too many Oregonians are struggling with high energy bills. House Bill 3546 represents a major shift in how Oregon addresses the growing demand from large-scale energy users. This bipartisan legislation directs the Oregon Public Utility Commission to create a separate electricity rate class specifically for facilities using 20 megawatts or more of power. This makes sure that the massive energy consumption of data centers and other large energy users doesn't unfairly burden residential and small business ratepayers while supporting Oregon's growing technology sector.
House Bill 3179, known as the FAIR Energy Act, tackles energy affordability head-on by banning winter utility rate increases—protecting Oregonians during the coldest months when heating costs are already highest. The bill also establishes mandatory waiting periods between rate increases and gives our state more tools for greater consumer protection and regulatory oversight.
House Bill 3792 demonstrates our commitment to Oregon’s most vulnerable residents by doubling the Oregon Energy Assistance Program from $20 million to $40 million annually. This expanded funding will help significantly more low-income Oregonians pay their energy bills and avoid disconnections, providing a crucial safety net during economic hardship.
Finally, Senate Bill 688 gives the state another new tool: to adopt a new system where utilities are rewarded or penalized based on performance outcomes like reliability, affordability, clean energy progress, and wildfire safety.
Together, these four bills represent a balanced approach to our modern energy challenges: supporting economic growth through fair policies, protecting consumers from unfair rates, expanding assistance for those in need, and building a more resilient energy system. This legislation positions Oregon as a leader in both technological innovation and environmental justice, making sure that our energy future serves all Oregonians.
Thank you to all of the legislators who prioritized protecting an affordable, clean energy future for all Oregonians. None of this work would have been made possible without the dedication of the partners here today: Verde, Citizens Utility Board, Climate Solutions, Community Energy Partnership, Energy Trust, and so many more. And, the work does not end with the passage of these key bills. Thank you to the state agencies here with us today who stand ready to put these policies into implementation.